All Over Albany

We're shocked -- shocked we say -- to hear that there is rain in the Capital Region weekend weather forecast. But we're more shocked that it looks like there's even more sunshine expected.

Not surprising at all? The fact that there's a whole bunch of stuff to do -- from pigging out to Bisco to Spamalot. Mix, match, plan.

Got something in mind that you don't see here? Drop it in the comment section for everyone to see.

And whatever you're up to, have a fantastic weekend!

Troy Pig Out
The annual Troy Pig Out is this Saturday and Sunday in Riverfront Park. The event is a two-day competition for more than 30 makers of barbecue -- a people's choice St. Louis-style rib competition on Saturday, and the Official New York State BBQ Championship on Sunday.

Tickets for the rib competition go on sale at 5 pm Saturday -- they're $1 for one rib. And in years past, they've sold out very quickly. Barbecue vendors will be offering samplers ($1-$5) to the public. And a bunch of other food vendors will also be there.

Saratoga Race Course Open House
This Sunday the Saratoga Race Course hosts its annual open house. There won't be wagering, but there will be exhibition races, music, carnival games, pony rides, face painting and a family-friendly concert by Zendaya. 11 am to 4 pm - fee admission.

Lion in Winter
This is closing weekend for the Berkshire Theater Festival's fantastic production of The Lion in Winter, starring Jayne Atkinson and Treat Williams. The comedy is a look at Christmas with the family of Henry II that will make your family seem a whole lot less dysfunctional. Very worth seeing. Here's the Boston Globe review. Friday 8 pm, Saturday 2 pm & 8 pm - $38-$58

On the Town
The very well-reviewed Barrington Stage production of On the Town closes this weekend. The rarely-performed Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Comden & Green musical about three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City in 1944. Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm , Sunday at 5 pm - various prices from $15.

Spamalot
Killer rabbits, catapulting cows and the search for the Holy Grail in Albany's Washington Park as Park Playhouse continues its summer production of Monty Python's Spamalot. The show runs every Tuesday through Sunday at 8 pm and includes Molly McGrath as The Lady of the Lake. Seats on the hillside are free, but bring your picnic blankets and chairs and come early. Reserved Seats are $14-16. Premium Table Seats are $22.

What's a girl to do? Daughter Junie inherits the job of taking over the family dry cleaning business, tending to Dad --who's having a hard time remembering things -- and keeping an eye on younger sister Lashley - who's fresh from rehab.

Junie's dream of being a country singer takes a hiatus until the town Pastor asks the sisters to write and perform personal send-offs for the dearly departed.

Delaware Avenue Street Fair/ APL Summerfest
Delaware Avenue in Albany is holding its annual street fair on Saturday. A mile of art, music, garage sales and food. The Albany Public Library Summer Fest is also going on at the Delaware Avenue branch. The street fair runs from 9 am-5 pm / the APL Summer Fest is from 1-3 pm - free admission to both

Camp Bisco
The big Camp Bisco music festival is in progress in Mariaville, just west of Schenectady. Among the headliners still set to play: Bassnectar, Passion Pit, Baauer, Toro y Moi, and The Disco Biscuits (of course). Animal Collective cancelled because of illness. It looks there are still Saturday-only passes available, $90

Art OMI Open Studio Weekend
If you've been wanting to check out Art Omi in Columbia County, this would be a great weekend to visit. The international art center is offering open studio tours on Saturday and Sunday. There's also dinner and dancing on Saturday night and a Sunday brunch. Tours are $10 (free for members), the dinner is $75, and the brunch starts at $40 ($20 for kids).

Art In The Park
Saratoga's Congress Park will host 70 artists and crafters on Saturday for the 15th annual Art in the Park celebration. 10 am - 5 pm

Saturday: The Boston Symphony Orchestra will be performing the score for West Side Story at Tanglewood while a recently re-mastered version of the film screens in high definition. (The original vocals and dialogue will be intact -- the BSO will be filling in the rest with a performance of Leonard Bernstein's score.) Saturday 8:30 pm - $20 and up

Renoir
The Saratoga Film Forum is screeningRenoir, the story of the last model of the famous French painter, who was also the muse of his filmmaker son Jean Renoir. Friday and Sunday at 7:30 pm

Comments

"Spamalot" at the Park Playhouse is a riot. Molly McGrath as the Lady of the Lake and Steve Raymond as Prince Herbert are just great. The place fills fast though, I'd recommend showing up before 7:15 for good (free) seats. Not that there are bad seats actually.

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